It Is Not Death to Die and Howie Holm

Please continue to pray for our dear friend and member of Grace Church Howie Holm, Marie (his wife), his three children and extended family.

After a very good last few days, Howie was hit Thursday night with a very bad infection.He was admitted into the Wyoming Hospital early yesterday morning and he is in the ICU.

Howie loves Jesus and longs to honor Him in life and death. Please pray for sustaining grace to do just that.
I have spent much time with him over the past few months and I can testify to the fact that though his body may be wasting away, his inner self is being renewed day by day – by God’s grace.

To put it in his wife’s words this morning – “I think we are seeing the compassion of God right now.”

Howie has been in a lot of pain over the past 4 months (and he has fought cancer for almost 5 years). Because of the infection in his body, the doctors do not expect that he will live much longer. I just came from the hospital and they are fairly sure that apart from a miracle, Howie will leave this life very soon – and because Howie has Christ as his Redeemer we know that it means that He will be with Jesus (2 Cor 5:6-10).

Here is a song that has been dear to me as I think about my friend's death and joyful entrance into the presence of Christ - "It Is Not Death To Die": (see the lyrics below)

It Is Not Death to Die - Sovereign Grace Music

It is not death to die
To leave this weary road
And join the saints who dwell on high
Who’ve found their home with God

It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears

(Refrain)
O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die

It is not death to fling
Aside this earthly dust
And rise with strong and noble wing
To live among the just

It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore
O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die